Belleza Brutal

This project was created out of the need to challenge your perception of architectural “beauty”. It shows us a frozen parametric variable, one which is pragmatic yet affected by the force of human change. Like the object itself, its program of social housing follows a set of rules and parameters. This building manifests the juxtaposition of parametric confines and the external creative force of the occupant. Located in an area of Houston where gentrification is a pressing issue, the project seeks to blur the line between public/private and transgress our preconceived notions of public housing. The building’s program integrates private apartment units in three core areas and one core area is used as studio housing and art galleries which are open to the public. using art as the tool to start a conversation between two worlds that are typically on different sides of the spectrum.